Background

• Brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a yeast used to make beer. It has also been used as a dietary supplement, as it contains nutrients, including chromium, B-complex vitamins, and selenium.
• Brewer's yeast may benefit people with diabetes. The yeast contains chromium, which is similar to insulin and may improve insulin sensitivity. Brewer's yeast may decrease blood sugar levels. However, further research is necessary in this area.
• Brewer's yeast may increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL). Brewer's yeast is rich in lithium, and preliminary evidence suggests that it may help improve mood in recovered drug users.
• Brewer's yeast is different from baker's yeast and nutritional yeast, which are both low in chromium.

References

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